Proverbs 9:8-9: An Easy Way to Tell if You're a Fool

"Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:8-9

What is a fool? It's an interesting question, is it not? If you do something stupid, one might call you a fool, but the biblical definition is much more than simple "stupidity." To be a fool according to scripture is to be one who forsakes wisdom though it is outrightly offered to him. To do so is to be stupid, to be foolish, and to reap destruction upon yourself.

In the verses above, we find a convicting truth: fools hate reproof, yet wise men delight in it. "Where's the conviction?" You might ask. Well, let us take a moment and consider ourselves. Here's the question: when is the last time someone reproved you? In other words, when is the last time someone came to you and told you that you were doing something wrong. Perhaps you made a mistake at work, and someone told you that you were doing your job all wrong. Perhaps your wife or husband encouraged you by telling you that you were wrong in a certain scenario. Perhaps you haven't read your Bible or prayed in a long time and one of your mentors told you to do so. Or perhaps you were reading scripture and the Holy Spirit pointed out some sin in your life. Whatever the matter is, let's face it: we are all reproved more often that we would like to admit. Yet the question before us today is this: how do we respond?

This verse shows us that the scoffer is one who hates reproof. Although scoffer in Proverbs certainly has its own nuances, let us realize that it is another word for fool. To be a scoffer is to be a fool, and vice versa. This verse tells us that a scoffer or a fool is one who hates the one who reproves him. Why? Answer: because of his pride. A fool does not like to be told that he is a fool, yet when he is told that he is a fool, his foolishness goes on display. If you tell a scoffer that he is unwise, he will scoff at you all the more.

Yet on the other side of the coin, we have the wise man. Rather than hating those who convict him, a wise man loves his reprover. Why? Because of his humility and his longing for wisdom. You see, the wise man knows that the only way in which he will become wiser is through reproof. Whereas the scoffer is filled up with pride and a distaste for wisdom, thinking that he has it all, a wise man is wise enough to realize that he needs more wisdom. Thus, when confronted in his error, he rejoices, knowing that he has been greatly helped by another who was kind enough to show him his faults.

So the question today is this: are you a fool or a wise man? "Well, how do I tell?" you may ask. Answer: how did you respond the last time you were reproved? Think of the last time your friend, spouse, mentor, pastor, or even the Holy Spirit showed you that you were wrong. How did you respond? Did you get angry? Did you argue? Did you complain? Did you hate your reproof? If so, my dear friend, let me reprove you again: because you are a fool.

Yet, let us all realize that there is another way to respond to our reprovers, that is, with love. This is the way in which wise men respond to those who have accused them. Rather than slapping the face of one who reproves them, the wise man kisses the face of those who reprove them [metaphorically]. Rather than responding in anger and disgust, they respond with rejoicing and thankfulness, realizing that because of their newfound conviction they are able to live wisely all the more.

Now, don't feel condemned: we have all been fools, and that's why Jesus Christ came to earth. He died for our foolishness, that through his blood and resurrection we might be redeemed. Yet because Jesus has done so greatly for us, let us honor him by living wisely, rejoicing in reproof.